I decided enough is enough. If cheesy dips, pasta, beer, loaded baked potatoes, extra sour cream and desserts are going to be in my life forever, I better leave some room for exercise. I buy the sneakers, I pin the running programs, I live in the country with endless dirt roads and beautiful walking trails and I have a great playlist on my iPod.
There is no excuse.
I've always wanted to be one of those people who go running before breakfast or on their lunch break. I want to come home from work with the desire to get outside and run. I want to train for something, I want to wear a number on my shirt, I want to challenge myself. I want to run a marathon and feel the high of crossing the finish line.
My problem? Constantly giving into the other option. Go for a run or meet friends for wings and a beer? Go for a run or waste my hour break on social media? Go for a run or sleep in? No matter what the other option is, it always sounds better.
Today was different.
I came home from work and didn't so much look in the direction of my living room. I didn't look at the couch with the blanket resting just how I left it, or at the iPhone charger I so desperately needed, or the remote, the dishes that needed to be put in the dishwasher, or even my animals. Nope. G and I changed into sweats and sneakers and despite the rain, kept right back outside to the truck. We went to that beautiful walking trail and we ran, dammit we ran! Although G could have ran the entire 5K without a break, he stuck by my side and pushed me to complete one minute of running and one minute of walking for thirty minutes. Shut up, it's a start. I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday!
My stomach was in knots the whole time. I was dizzy. I had a muscle spasm. My ass hurts. My legs are restless and the heat from the laptop is soothing the deep ache in my quads. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring but I'm already super excited for my second run. I feel great, like I accomplished something huge.
I DID IT!
Rachel Emmilee
XO
Tuesday
Monday
Although I have missed you all so much...
It's officially Spring and although I am excited that the days are getting longer and warmer, I find this time of year a bit stressful, do you? For one, I feel a lot of pressure to update my entire wardrobe with trendy, spring fashion. Secondly our lawn and gardens are a mess, our pool looks more like a swamp and there are a million projects staring me in the face each time I pull into our driveway. I have no idea where to start! Once inside, I'm faced with windows that need cleaning, trim that needs a second coat of paint, dust and fingerprints that I never noticed in the darkness of Winter. I swear I need to take a week long vacation to get ready for Summer!
With that being said I did start, and even complete a few home projects. Thanks to my one stop shop, Winners, I gave our bedroom a beautiful makeover, hung some new art and curtains throughout the house, added to my tea pot collection and finally framed some of our sweet wedding photos. Doing this inspired me to paint our kitchen a nice fresh color to brighten the space, and I gave some of our wood furniture a face lift. I get so much out of making these little changes, there's nothing more satisfying than putting a finishing touch on a space that you love to live in.
The last few months have been action packed with a lot of change. I promise to fill you in by finally publishing the several drafts that I have started over the last few weeks, but until then I'll fast forward to now. This weekend came and went with mixed emotions. It marked another year that my sister has been gone which brought back a lot of painful memories no matter how hard I tried to think of the good ones. It was hard, but thankfully I was surrounded by family and friends. On Friday and Saturday night, G's band pulled off another amazing Opry tribute and sold out to two awesome, high energy crowds. It's so fun to be a part of such an amazing production. The time, energy, dedication and talent that goes into it is beyond impressive! I was able to take my mind of how hard this weekend was four years ago and enjoy great music, great company and my cute guy in a cowboy hat.
We'll chat more later, okay?
Rachel Emmilee
XO
Sunday
How do YOU prevent spots and dots?
As a 26 year old female who obviously cares about her appearance by means of wearing makeup, visiting a hair salon on a way-too-regular basis and getting sucked into fashion trends, you may find this hard to believe...
I do not use skin care products. Products that prevent dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles, acne, dryness and the aging process in general, do not live here. I would be lying if I told you I washed my face before going to bed at night let alone treated it with anti-this and anti-that cream.
This post was inspired by two things.
1) Recently, I had friends visit for a weekend. They each had morning and evening face cleansing routines that made my head spin. Cleansing, toning, preventing and peeling as I stood in the mirror watching with a raised eyebrow. Should I be doing this?
2) My husband's co-worker is selling a line of skincare and gave me a one time, six step cleansing product to sample. I read the benefits, testimonials and success stories with a raised eyebrow. It sounds so necessary, should I be doing this?
After many years of sunbathing in oil, I finally understand that SPF application is very important. On our recent vacation south I was very careful not to expose my skin to direct sunlight without SPF protection. Sure, being sun kissed makes you feel and even look more attractive, but the consequences are not pretty.
At my age and in this environment I feel my face is as fresh, toned and as young as it could possibly be. I'm not saying I'm flawless. Would I like to get rid of some spots and dots and prevent wrinkles? Um, yeah. Do I get on board with using skin care products? Should I explore natural home remedies? Or is my skin healthy because I left it alone all these years?
How do you prevent the ugly stuff?
Rachel Emmilee
I do not use skin care products. Products that prevent dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles, acne, dryness and the aging process in general, do not live here. I would be lying if I told you I washed my face before going to bed at night let alone treated it with anti-this and anti-that cream.
This post was inspired by two things.
1) Recently, I had friends visit for a weekend. They each had morning and evening face cleansing routines that made my head spin. Cleansing, toning, preventing and peeling as I stood in the mirror watching with a raised eyebrow. Should I be doing this?
2) My husband's co-worker is selling a line of skincare and gave me a one time, six step cleansing product to sample. I read the benefits, testimonials and success stories with a raised eyebrow. It sounds so necessary, should I be doing this?
After many years of sunbathing in oil, I finally understand that SPF application is very important. On our recent vacation south I was very careful not to expose my skin to direct sunlight without SPF protection. Sure, being sun kissed makes you feel and even look more attractive, but the consequences are not pretty.
At my age and in this environment I feel my face is as fresh, toned and as young as it could possibly be. I'm not saying I'm flawless. Would I like to get rid of some spots and dots and prevent wrinkles? Um, yeah. Do I get on board with using skin care products? Should I explore natural home remedies? Or is my skin healthy because I left it alone all these years?
How do you prevent the ugly stuff?
Rachel Emmilee
Thursday
#ThrowBackThursday - G & R in the DR
I am tapping the heels of my flip-flops together and going back to the Dominican Republic...
  |
 |
Monday
Caramel Banana Pie
There are no words to describe how delicious this pie is, so there should be no words to explain how to make it. Just watch and learn.
 |
| Boil a can of sweetened condensed milk for three whole hours. Just like this, fully submerged in boiling water. |
. 
 |
| After three hours of boiling, carefully peel the lid off the can of sweetened condensed milk. Hello, caramel sauce! |
 |
| Toasted coconut |
Mac N' Cheese
Hey You!
You need a Mac N' Cheese recipe in your recipe box! Not something heavy and complicated, nothing that calls for an egg, five types of cheese, a tbsp of mustard and the kitchen sink. You need an old reliable, simple and delicious recipe that is just as good the next day. Set a bowl of this goodness on your lap while watching TV and enjoy comfort at its finest.
Rachel Emmilee
XO
In a deep, nonstick frying pan melt three tbsp of butter on medium-high. Once melted, add three tbsp of flour and whisk together into a paste. Add 3 cups of milk, whisk until there are no lumps and until it thickens into a béchamel sauce.
Add 1/3 block of cream cheese cubed, 2 cups of shredded old cheddar cheese and one block of cubed Velveeta cheese. Add 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce, whisk until cheese melts and all ingredients combine.
In salted water, cook then drain macaroni pasta. Do not rinse the pasta! Doing this will remove the starch that helps the sauce stick.
Back in the pot pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and coat well. Transfer the Mac N' Cheese into a casserole dish, sprinkle generously with panko bread crumbs and broil until brown, crispy and bubbly.
You need a Mac N' Cheese recipe in your recipe box! Not something heavy and complicated, nothing that calls for an egg, five types of cheese, a tbsp of mustard and the kitchen sink. You need an old reliable, simple and delicious recipe that is just as good the next day. Set a bowl of this goodness on your lap while watching TV and enjoy comfort at its finest.
Rachel Emmilee
XO
In a deep, nonstick frying pan melt three tbsp of butter on medium-high. Once melted, add three tbsp of flour and whisk together into a paste. Add 3 cups of milk, whisk until there are no lumps and until it thickens into a béchamel sauce.
Add 1/3 block of cream cheese cubed, 2 cups of shredded old cheddar cheese and one block of cubed Velveeta cheese. Add 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce, whisk until cheese melts and all ingredients combine.
In salted water, cook then drain macaroni pasta. Do not rinse the pasta! Doing this will remove the starch that helps the sauce stick.
Back in the pot pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and coat well. Transfer the Mac N' Cheese into a casserole dish, sprinkle generously with panko bread crumbs and broil until brown, crispy and bubbly.
Saturday
Breakfast Crepes
Good Morning!
My Saturday is off to a great start, how about yours? It's almost noon but I'm still in my PJs, sipping on a soothing cup of coffee and full from a sinfully delicious breakfast.
Here's the quick and easy recipe for delicious breakfast crepes, my way!
Enjoy!
In a blender crack three eggs, add 3/4 cup of cold water, 1 cup of milk, 3 tbsp of melted butter, 1 heaping cup of flour and a tsp of almond extract. If you feel the batter is too thick, add a touch of milk.
See? How easy is that.
Blend the mixture well and let it sit in the fridge for as long as you can. An hour in the fridge will allow the bubbles to escape and strengthen the batter so it won't crack while cooking. The batter will keep in the fridge up to 48 hours, so this is a great breakfast to prepare in advance of a busy weekend!
In a butter coated, nonstick frying pan on high, pour just enough batter for a thin, even layer. It won't take long to cook through, and when you can easily move it around the pan it's ready to flip. At this point the crepe is ready, so a few seconds on the flipped side is enough.
Roll and fill with toppings of your choice, but sugared strawberries, whipped cream and maple syrup is where it's at.
XO
My Saturday is off to a great start, how about yours? It's almost noon but I'm still in my PJs, sipping on a soothing cup of coffee and full from a sinfully delicious breakfast.
Here's the quick and easy recipe for delicious breakfast crepes, my way!
Enjoy!
In a blender crack three eggs, add 3/4 cup of cold water, 1 cup of milk, 3 tbsp of melted butter, 1 heaping cup of flour and a tsp of almond extract. If you feel the batter is too thick, add a touch of milk.
See? How easy is that.
Blend the mixture well and let it sit in the fridge for as long as you can. An hour in the fridge will allow the bubbles to escape and strengthen the batter so it won't crack while cooking. The batter will keep in the fridge up to 48 hours, so this is a great breakfast to prepare in advance of a busy weekend!
In a butter coated, nonstick frying pan on high, pour just enough batter for a thin, even layer. It won't take long to cook through, and when you can easily move it around the pan it's ready to flip. At this point the crepe is ready, so a few seconds on the flipped side is enough.
Roll and fill with toppings of your choice, but sugared strawberries, whipped cream and maple syrup is where it's at.
XO
Sunday
#LOVE
G had already left for the day and I was swimming in a sea of blankets for one hour too long. It's my own fault that when I finally got up, I
had no choice but to rush from washroom to washroom and closet to laundry room getting
ready for work. I stood in the mirror and quickly applied some bright red lipstick in
the spirit of Valentine’s Day, then pulled on some sexy animal print tights.
Wearing a dress and heels, I felt pretty and ready to spread some love.
Without
breakfast, coffee or a packed lunch I was out the door and regretting that I hadn't given myself more time to get ready. But wait, I forgot my wedding rings on the night stand! How could I? On Valentine's day of all days... As I scurried through my house and into my bedroom, grabbing my rings, I notice something pink in the corner of my eye. I stopped to look. The clock ticking in my ear stopped too, and even OB stopped to watch me open the envelope.
I stood in awe reading the sweetest message written on the bottom of
a card that I swear was made just for me. Then I read it again, and then again. Sometimes
cards really get it right, don’t they? With the panic to get out the door disabled, I sat in our living room on the phone thanking him for the lovely surprise.
I was almost late for work, but so grateful that I slowed down to notice and embrace the love around me. It was a great start to our first Valentine's day as husband and wife!
"If you're always rushing to the next moment, what happens to the one you're in?"
Happy Valentine's Day!
Rachel Emmilee
XO
Heart Image found here!
Thursday
Did I Mention...
Did I mention there is a lot happening with me right now?
Well, there is.
A lot.
Work things are happening. BIG things. Scary, intimidating but very good things. More on that a little later.
Did I mention that I love cooking and hosting parties?
Well, I do.
So GUESS WHAT... I am responsible for catering a hospitality suite this weekend in Halifax. It's kind of a big deal. The function will host upwards of 800 people from all across Nova Scotia. When the AGM events are over both Friday and Saturday evening, folks mix and mingle throughout the Marriott Hotel getting their drink on in the suites. That's where you'll find me! Last year I only mingled, but this year I'll both mingle and take the credit for the delicious snack table.
I've spent the last 24 hours planning, making lists and packing the Jeep with everything I'm going to need to prepare and serve. By the way, shopping for food for events is stressful and buying 12 blocks of cream cheese at a time is embarrassing. We leave for Halifax tomorrow morning and once I'm there I have to rush to meetings, rush back to bombard my friends kitchen, then run back to the Hotel to set up the suite and serve my h'orderves. It's going to be a long night and I have to be on my game; not only do I want the snacks to be a success, but the annual-mingle-with-work-big-wigs is intimidating.
Did I mention there is a mother of a storm coming?
Well, there is.
So that means if we leave here by 7am, we arrive in the city by noon. Yawn.
In other news. We've gone back to talking about the idea of building a new home. There has been some talk about having our engagement story published in a book, and last but not least... I am going to be a student again! Yep, turning my brain on and enrolling in some online courses. Like I said, cha-cha-cha-changes!
Change is good. I didn't think I needed change, but all of a sudden I feel very free... Content... Secure... And just positive overall.
So, did I mention there is a lot happening with me right now?
Well, there is!
Rachel Emmilee
XO
Tuesday
Without Arnold, This Post is Nothing.
So...
I thought I would have been all over a vacation post, but... I've been a bit overwhelmed with the whole catch up at work game, the shovel a path to our doorstep game, oh and the get back into normal eating routine game. Plus, I figure I've tortured you enough with my sunny pictures and the talk of long walks on the beach...
With that being said, I really am one of those people that feels there is no place like home. Of course the adventure was amazing, but there is nothing I love more than being in my home with my loves, doing things that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. However, if I could blink right now and be back on the beach with the smell of SPF 40 sizzling off my skin, I would.
There has also been a lot on my mind lately. Like, a lot. Nothing anyone should worry about, but enough to distract me from the Blogosphere. I might share it with you soon, but for now I need to focus. It won't take long, promise.
Miss you all, stay tuned...
Rachel Emmilee
XO
I thought I would have been all over a vacation post, but... I've been a bit overwhelmed with the whole catch up at work game, the shovel a path to our doorstep game, oh and the get back into normal eating routine game. Plus, I figure I've tortured you enough with my sunny pictures and the talk of long walks on the beach...
With that being said, I really am one of those people that feels there is no place like home. Of course the adventure was amazing, but there is nothing I love more than being in my home with my loves, doing things that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. However, if I could blink right now and be back on the beach with the smell of SPF 40 sizzling off my skin, I would.
There has also been a lot on my mind lately. Like, a lot. Nothing anyone should worry about, but enough to distract me from the Blogosphere. I might share it with you soon, but for now I need to focus. It won't take long, promise.
Miss you all, stay tuned...
Rachel Emmilee
XO
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)